Angling Edinburgh: Places you can fish for trout within 45 minutes of the city centre without paying for an annual permit

Where can you go for a day’s fishing without a prior permit or fishery membership?

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in Scotland but it can also be expensive and complicated to get the required paperwork you need to cast a fly.

Luckily Edinburgh is blessed with a few options for those who fancy catching a trout for their breakfast but don’t want to commit too much time or money – and most are open now that much of Scotland is in Level 2 of coronavirus restrictions.

The reservoirs of the Pentland Hills offer a number of fisheries where you can pay by the hour.

Loganlea is one of four reservoirs you can fish in the Pentland Hills.

At Clubbiedean Fishery a four hour bait fishing session with a three fish limit is only £20, or £25 for one adult and one child under-14.

Alternatively, fly fishing from a boat starts at £20 for one angler fishing for four hours with a two fish limit, up to £50 for two anglers fishing for six hours with a six fish limit.

At nearby Glencorse Reservoir anglers can choose from a variety of options, from a half day of catch and release for one person priced at £20, up to a full day’s fishing for two anglers on a boat with an eight fish limit for £62.

Bookings must me made in advance and there are also outboard motors for hire for those adverse to rowing.

There's something magical about catching your own dinner just a short drive away from where you live.

Also in the Pentlands, Malleny Angling offers fly fishing on two reservoirs – Harlaw and Threipmuir.

They offer full day and evening passes (fishing after 5pm) priced at £17 for catch and release/£22 for a three fish limit and £12 for catch and release/£17 for a two fish limit respectively.

Last up in this fishing-rich area is Loganlea Fishery, located on the reservoir of the same name.

Their prices start at £15 for four hours of catch and release up to £28 for eight hours of fishing with a four fish limit.

Hiring a boat adds £2 per session and there are discounts for OAPs and children.

To the south of Edinburgh there are another two options for those looking for trout fishing.

Just 30 minutes from the city centre, Rosslynlee Trout Fishery has a number of differently priced sessions available from just £12 for two hours of catch and release, to eight hours with a four fish limit for £29.

Boat hire is £2 and no bait fishing is allowed – fly only.

Nearby, just to the south of Gorebridge in the heart of Midlothian, is Rosebery Reservoir.

Permits to fish here must be booked in advance with day permits (8am-5pm) priced from £15-£23, evening permits (4pm-dusk) from £15-£18, and boat hire adding an extra £7.

Finally, 45 minutes to the west of Edinburgh, Allandale Tarn Fisheries offer both fly and bait fishing – along with the rental of tackle – for brown, rainbow and blue trout, as well as the occasional arctic char.

They have various options for catch and release, or keeping up to four fish, priced from £15.50 to £40 for a family pass.

Before visiting any of the fisheries make sure you visit their respective websites to check the rules and availability of fishing.